Cost Effective, Innovative, Timeless, Sustainable Architecture

Portfolio: Industrial

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MISCO Manufacturing Facility — Reading, Berks County, PA

Watkins Architect designed the restoration and re-construction of the Misco Products building after a catastrophic fire damaged and collapsed over 50% of the manufactures facility. Misco products is a specialty manufacturer of private brand cleaning solution products that experienced a fire which quickly spread out of control due to a faulty piece of equipment and all the chemicals stored in the building. The Fire virtually crippled the manufacturer, so Watkins Architect developed a phasing plan consisting initially of stabilizing and weatherproofing the existing structure so the company could continue manufacturing. The second phase was to design the reconstruction of the collapsed structure. Misco products did not just want to re-built, they wanted to design for the future. The solution was to fast-track the design with a pre-engineered structure that could be ordered before the entire design was complete. This saved valuable construction time while still allowing time to thoroughly analyze and design the best facility for the growing company. Some specific new features include a complete sprinkler system for the entire building, rooftop fire vents, a flammable storage room with leak containment, a computer/printing room with clean agent fire extinguishing system, a clean-room for specialty products and a leak containment system of the entire factory floor. Since Misco manufacturers and promotes 'green' cleaning products, the design implemented several green building strategies including adding natural day-lighting via strategically placed windows and specialty rooftop fire vents with built-in skylights, installing the most energy efficient light fixtures and controls and utilizing a steel structure with high recycled content and extra insulation for energy efficiency. The re-constructed building was 31,800 s.f. and completed in 2008.

Watkins Architect LTD is serving as the LEED Consultant for the required five-year re-certification of this LEED for existing buildings: operations and maintenance building. Services include serving as the project team administrator for the LEED online submittal process, updating the facility's operation and maintenance manual, analyzing previously submitted supporting documents, completing feasibility checklists for credits that are attainable, making recommendations to make the facility more environmentally-friendly, creating a project schedule for the re-certification process, assigning specific tasks to team members from the facility, organizing, creating and uploading supporting documents for each pre-requisite and credit and filling in online credit templates.

Exeter Supply Company — Reading, Berks County, PA

Full services for renovations and additions to an existing industrial and office warehouse building. Finished square footage equaled 12,400 s.f.

Vixen Hill Manufacturing — Elverson, Chester County, PA

Design of new 25,000 s.f. industrial/office building designed with a residential look to blend with the wooded lot and the company's manufacturing philosophy. The two floors utilized the sloped site for handicapped accessibility without any ramps or elevators.

Reading Electric — Reading, Berks County, PA

Provided architectural services for the design of a 29,000 s.f. warehouse and 6,600 s.f. office facility. Services included schematic design, construction documentation, and construction observation in conjunction with a construction manager, in a design/build team approach.

Reading Manufacturing Company

Watkins Architect has designed concepts for a proposed manufacturing facility expansion. Because this project is in the early stages, the owner has requested that the project be anonymous.

NGK — Reading, Berks County, PA

Extensive planning and design for the new 12,000 s.f. wastewater treatment facility and 40,000 s.f. building which included partial demolition and re-construction to repair the failing structure for industrial tenant space.

R&C Heavy Mechanical — Blandon, Berks County, PA

New 11,900 s.f. industrial building. The new building includes a high bay industrial space, office reception/waiting area, offices, break room and restrooms.

SLIP Industries — Manheim, Lancaster County, PA

Master planning and design of a new $1,000,000 manufacturing/warehouse building with 5,000 s.f. office area.

Morgan Rail — Reading, Berks County, PA

Design of new 6,000 s.f. garage/warehouse building. The new garage building includes four bays and sits adjacent to the existing facility in Temple. Watkins Architect also designed a 2,000 s.f. office expansion to the construction company's corporate offices.